Review of Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Ano hana is a short series about a group of friends coping with the loss of their childhood friend. What makes me really enjoy it is how realistic I think the characters' reactions are. The way that they still hold onto the feelings, secrets, and even grudges from their childhood so many years later is something that seems real to me. I appreciate that in their quest to fulfill Menma's wish, it is made known to them when lines are crossed and when their method of mourning is hurting others more than it might be doing good. I think that even the family dynamic inMenma's household after her death are realistic. The characters have moments that are raw, silly, embarrassing enough that I have to pause the show and take a breath.